ARRL WV Section Monthly News
West Virginia Amateurs September 2009
KEEP UP TO DATE on activities and actions in the amateur community,
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Lots of drop boxes -- enjoy surfing the site...
Hello West Virginia Amateur Radio Operators: September was a little unusual month for me, as my twin sister and her son, did a land and ship cruise through Alaska. Really lots of open spaces, mountains and I mean snow capped mountains, yes I saw M. McKinley. Apparently about only 30% of people visiting Alaska will see Mt. McKinley because of the continual changing weather on the mountain. The land weather was really great, lots of sunshine, and temperatures ranged from high 40's at night to high 60's in daytime surrounded by heavy breeze. We saw elk, bear, reindeer, moose, fox, caribou and salmon. On the cruise we saw orca, seals and several glaciers -- really close. Should you have the opportunity to make this trip, it is well worth it. No, I did not make any contacts, and did not see any other hams. It appeared all went well while I was away. Many of you may feel that the amateurs of WV are not active, so you need to share what you are doing in your community. Send information to ka8zgy@arrl.org. Be an active amateur radio operator, support you community by attending a local club, participate on local and NTS Nets, join the ARRL and be a mentor for new hams.
MENTORS: If you're helping a newly upgraded amateur that's going to give HF a try for the first time this coming week, or even if you are an Old Timer, take a look at http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/materials/HF-Radio.ppt. This is a presentation for hams new to HF operations.
WHATS NEW: 111th Congress H.R. 2160: An interesting House Bill about using Amateur Radio in Home and Security related to expanding the use of amateur radio communications in Homeland Security planning and response. Web link H.R. 2160 http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/HR2160.pdf
ARRL Roanoke Division Vice Director Position: ARRL Members, don't forget to complete and mail ballot for a candidate for this position as soon as possible.
Dan Ringer, K8WV, ARRL WV Section ASM: Should you have a question related to amateur radio and ARRL, just contact Dan at k8wv@arrl.net.
Nick Siebold, KB8NDS, ARRL WV Section ASM: Webmaster support.
Bob Adams, W8GU, ARRL WV Section ACC: SK It is with great sadness that I announce that Bob, W8GU, became a Silent Key (SK) on October 10th, 2009. As usual, Bob was active that day as he and David, W8IW, had started the trip to the Wood County Hamfest in Parkersburg about 5:30 AM returning to Charleston about 1:30 AM. Apparently Bob decided to take a nap because of the early hour rise and just passes on.
Bob had been very active with the Kram Klasses for new hams, VE Groups and contacts with amateur clubs throughout WV, president of the Kanawha Amateur Radio Club, an active ARRL VEC, and charter member of the GFWA. Bob was always helping other ham in all areas of amateur radio.
Kenneth Harris, WA8LLM, ARRL WV Section SEC: See ARES® Reports below. Interested in public service and emergency communications, join the ARRL and members subscribe to the ARES® E-Letter at www.arrl.org/ares-letter and for NON-members www.arrl.org/ARES-EL. wa8llm@arrl.net
Tom Jones, N8NMA, ARRL WV Section STM: Many thanks to Tom as he continues to collect and report Net and individual operator on-the-air activities -- see the Net Reports, SAR and PSHR reports below.
Bill Hunter, K8BS, ARRL WV Section SGL: State Government Liaison providing support with the State OES.
Dirk Burnside, WD8PAD, ARRL WV STM: Should you have a technical problem, just contact Dirk for assistance at doburnside@hotmail.com
Charles "Skip" Hall, K8SOR, ARRL WV Section OOC: Activities reported for September 2009: Six OO's reporting with approximately 114 hours of monitoring for month of September. Another great month. Contact Skip at k8sor@arrl.net
WV HAMFESTS & CONVENTION: Charleston Area Hamfest & Computer Show, Coonskin Armory, Charleston, WV --ARRL Hamfest- March 20, 2010
HELLO NEW WEST VIRGINIA AMATEURS -- September 2009 Richard, R. Holton, KD8MCC; Alfonso Flores, KD8MAR; James E. Hutzler, KD8MCE; Adam G. Shoemaker, KD8LYT; John W. Horner, KD8LYS; Clarence M. Hitt, KD8LYR
HELLO LICENSE UPGRADES AMATEURS -- September 2009 Harley M. Wanless, KC8KWB; Douglas T. Davis, W8JGI; Richard E. Brannan, KD8LZY; Cletis D. Maynard, KD8FNR; Ernest L. Keesecker, KD8LPI; Wendell L. Skidmore, WD8EOM; Sean E. Sickher, KD8LLQ
HELLO NEW/RENEW ARRL MEMBERS -- September 2009 Mark A. Cook, Kd8LWH; Larry M. McCallister, KB8TBA; Michael J. Plymale, KD8IOE; Vincent M. Adkins, Kd8KXV; Frank c. Powell, KA8SYV; Orville L. Cole; Lijkel Dijkstra, K8MET; Don Huff, KA8HYR; William Hole; Kevin J. Shipe, KD8KZU; David W. Biser, KG8VW; Jacob W. Tennant, K8JWT; Jane S. Arnold, W4JSP; Curtis R. Crigler, KB8PJI; Michael P. Alt, KD8HUA
SILENT KEY's: Please take a 'Moment of Silence' for: Robert "Bob" Adams, W8GU, Pinch, WV Vernon R. Stanfill, NZ8K, Fort Gay, WV
HAPPENINGS IN THE UPPER KANAWHA VALLEY: Hi all, here is kind of an abbreviated happenings. This Thursday October 8th is the EOAWA meeting at 7:30 at the Belmont County EMA building by Belmont Tech. This Saturday, October 10th there are two events going on: * Belmont County Animal Rescue League 5k walk/run. John K8JRG could use some more help. The race starts at 9:00 at the gazebo in St. Clairsville. If you can help let John know compserv7 at comcast.net . * The monthly Ham Radio Dinner will be at Abby's on Wheeling Island at 5:00. If you are planning on attending please let Leen K8MET know so he can make reservations kc8met at Comcast.net .
This Sunday, October 11th is the Walk for Women, Breast Cancer Walk at the Howard Long Wellness Center by Wheeling Hospital. I need people to be on location by 1:30. The walk starts at 2:00. You have to walk to your spot, we are not allowed to drive on the trail. If you can help out please let me know ka8yez at Comcast.net THANKS!!! Friday, October 23rd is the NPARC meeting. *NOTE* it is a week earlier due to Halloween. It is held at the Ohio County EMA office in the basement of the Wheeling City County Building @ 7:30. Friday, November 13th is the NPARC meeting *NOTE it is 2 weeks earlier due to the Christmas Parade and Thanksgiving holidays. Friday, November 20th is the Wheeling Christmas parade. We have not been asked to help yet, but rumors from last year (after they did not call us) are they will. If you can help out lease let me know. Thanks for taking the time to read this and helping out where you can. If you have anything you want added for next time let me know. Very 73, Matt KA8YEZ
FCC Database -- Is your MAILING ADDRESS AND NAME current in the FCC database, if not visit http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=cft&id=amateur&page=cft_
Reminder: Stay active by attending a local club and keep current on your ARRL Dues at www.arrl.org.
WV ARES® ACTIVITIES -- September 2009 Compiled and submitted by Ken Harris, WA8LLM, ARRL WV SEC
- Total number of ARES members:
- Change since last month: +
- # DECs/ECs reporting this month:13
- # ARES nets active: 14
- # /w NTS Liaison: 14
- Calls of DECs/ECs reporting: AF4PQ, W8LIZ, KD8HBO, N8IKT, N2OCW, K8LES, KD8BMX, K8RWW, WB8OIF, K8WDX, KC8TUE, WA8AGH, KB8PJI
- Number of drills, tests & training session this month: 39
- Person Hours: 40
- Number of public service events this month: 13
- Person Hours: 825
- Number of emergency operations this month: 0
- Person Hours: 0
- Total number of ARES operations this month: 153
- Total Person Hours: 865
Comments:
- Bob Lucas, AF4PQ, DEC District 10, ARES/RACES Net Manager, reported the Monthly WVARES/RACES Net was held on September 3rd, and it was in operation for 20 minutes. There were 17 check-ins, representing 6 Districts, but only 10 counties. There was no traffic handled, and no out of state stations who checked into the net. The Net Control Station was Dennis, W8YS.
- Fred Herr, WD8AGH, EC Cabell County, reported the Cabell County ARES had an information and flea market booth at the Tri-State Amateur Radio Association Hamfest. They not only used it for information about ARES, but also as a fund raising activity. At the end of the Hamfest they gave away a Yaesu FT-60R Handie/Talkie. The lucky winner was Don Addington, KA8LCR. Don has been licensed for some time, but not real active. He said this win was meant to be, and that it would help get him back into the hobby. Don is already getting on the repeaters in the Summers County area. Fred wants the Summers County EC to take note, Don is back. Since Fred wasn't able to report last month he wanted us to know that on August 29th the Cabell County ARES, in association with, the Tri-State Amateur Radio Association participated in an Emergency Preparedness Fair. This is the second annual fair and was sponsored by the Cabell Huntington Health Department. During the fair the two groups operated on VHF/UHF and HF. They also had three forms of power available, Generator, Battery, and Solar. Children visiting the booth were given a card with Morse Code on it so they could spell their name in code. (Thanks to Judy Taylor, WD8EOP, for the idea). The ARES group presented a program at the monthly Tri-State Radio Association meeting. The topic was the importance of Public awareness of Amateur Radio and the need to have a Public Information Officer. During the presentation the group used a Power Point which was put together by the ARRL.
- Charles Hardy, KD8HWX, EC Fayette County, reported that he is still recruiting new members to his ARES group. He is up to six members in Fayette County. They still haven't started any nets yet. The group was inactive so long, that they lost their radio room in the county building, and they are trying to get it back. He said it shouldn't be too long and they will be up and running.
- Ron Wilson, K8RWW, EC Barbour County, DEC District 5, reported the Barbour County ARES group assisted the Barbour County Sheriff's Department in support of Communications for the Barbour County Fair for six days in September. He reported there were 2 lost children, (which were found in just a few minutes), one fight, one personal accident injury during the Demolition Derby, one injury by a fall, and one person was choking. All injuries were treated and everyone is fine.
- Keith Johnson, N8IKT, EC Lincoln County, said all is well in Lincoln County. The Health Department bought the ARES group a Yaesu FT-8900, and a mobile antenna. They also bought them a Kenwood TM-V71A to be installed on their repeater. With the installation they can link their repeater with other repeaters in the area.
- Lester Shields, K8LES, EC Hancock County, reported that on September 3rd and 15th the Amateurs in the area participated in a Siren Test in Hancock County. The Siren Test was for the Shippingport Nuclear Power Plant. Each of the Amateurs were assigned a siren in the county, and given a packet of maps and photos to help them find it. After the sirens were sounded, each Amateur reported back to Les on the status of the siren. Less provided the test results back to the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center. The Amateurs were all members of the Steubenville Weirton Amateur Radio Club, and were from Hancock and Brooke Counties in WV. There were Amateurs from three counties in Ohio.
- Jim Miller, WS8L, EC Jackson County, reported that nothing special has been happening. Jackson County has been holding weekly nets on their 146.67 voice repeater.
- Lawrence Ashton, EC Morgan County, reported it's been another quiet month in the Eastern Panhandle.
- Lonnie Maynard, KY8B, EC Logan County, reported there are now six ARES members. They have had four nets with a running time of about 15 minutes. He says they average about 10 check-ins to each net. Their net is held on the 146.97 repeater every Monday a 8:00pm. They had a Volunteer Exam session on Saturday, September 24th. Their ARES group has gained a new Novice and an Extra class out of the test session. The ARES members are awaiting ARRL's next Ecomm Class to come out in the 4th quarter of 2009, so those with Level 1 Ecomm can take the next level classes.
- Ronnie Childress, KD8HBO, EC, Mercer County, reported a slight increase in their monthly ARES Net Meetings. Ronnie seems to finding more people who are getting interested in the ARES program. He hopes that more will get involved as time goes on. He said that he is finding out there was very few Amateurs involved in ARES in the past. He's trying to educate the Amateurs as to what ARES is all about, and he says it seems to be working.
- Curtis Crigler, KB8PJI, EC Pendleton County, reported the Pendleton County Emergency Operations Center was activated for the Treasure Mountain Festival in Franklin. Communications were used at the EOC and CERT Teams were patrolling the crowd. Curtis also helped to install the DAREN (Digital Amateur Radio "Emergency" Network) Packet Station on the 911 Tower on North Mountain. The station needed to be removed from the Spruce Knob Tower site due to the new owners wanting big bucks to leave it there. The station had been in operation for about 15 years at the old site while the tower was owned and controlled by an Amateur Radio operator.
- Terry Mills, KC8TUE, EC Wood County, says that it looks like fall is upon us and the leaves are gearing up for the annual show of color. Terry reported the Wood County Emergency Communications (WCEC) group and Wood County ARES members provided safety and logistic communications for the Chick-Fil-A cross country races at the Wood County Fairgrounds in Mineral Wells. Sixteen ARES members manned time clocks and provided safety communications for eight races around a three mile course. There were over 1400 kids from 30 schools from all over the state. Race Control and ARES members dispatched EMS Personnel seven times for heat related breathing problems and severe cramping. Fortunately, only one runner was transported to the hospital for extremely low blood sugar. This was the largest participation of students and schools since its inception. On September 22nd seven ARES members provide communications and timers for the Wood/Washington High School cross country races at Mineral Wells. The races were held without incident on a two mile course. On September 25th, 26th, and 27th WCEC and Wood County ARES members held their annual Volcano Days BINGO games at Mountwood Park in Walker, WV. About 16 members helped raise money for WCEC at the three day event. On September 29th, WCEC and Wood County ARES members provided communications for the final cross county race of the season at the Wood County Fairgrounds.
- Charles Hardy, KD8HWX, DEC District 7/EC Fayette County, reported the Fayette County ARES group is planning for an SET test/training session. All five ARES members will be participating as of now.
- Tom Adsit, K8WDX, EC Jefferson County, reported they had a slow month of September. He said he had some non-Amateur related problems, but has been able to keep up with ARES. Tom checked out the Jefferson County EOC HF station in September by participating in the WV Fone Net, and the Monthly WV ARES/RACES Net that's held on the first Thursday of each month. He has one new ARES member and is working to get another couple who are new to Amateur Radio, and just got into Ecomm. He's going to help them get a station on the air. He says there are some Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Classes coming up. He had one of his ARES members attend the last CERT Class. He hopes to get the time to attend one of the classes.
- This SEC has been busy this past month with all of the activities that were reported in the Wood County EC Report. I attended Wood County LEPC meeting this month. Out of the three LEPC Meetings that were scheduled for September, I was only able to attend one of them. One of the meetings was held the same evening as one of the cross country races, and another one of the meetings was held at the same time as the Wood County LEPC meeting. I'll be glad when the Parkersburg Hamfest is over, that will give me a few minutes to get other projects caught up.
- *Until next month, Kenneth Harris, WA8LLM, ARRL WV SEC wa8llm@arrl.net
WV NTS TRAFFIC REPORTS - September 2009
Compiled and submitted by Tom Jones, N8NMA, WV Section Traffic Manager
HF Nets Rpts. |
|||||
|
Stations |
Traffic |
Time Min |
Sessions |
Net Mgr |
WV Fone Net |
829 |
106 |
782 |
30 |
W8YS |
WV Midday Net |
527 |
41 |
488 |
30 |
K8RWW |
WV CW Net Early |
72 |
32 |
200 |
30 |
W8IVF |
WV CW Net Late |
66 |
25 |
170 |
29 |
W8IVF |
WV ARES® RACES |
17 |
0 |
20 |
1 |
AF4PQ |
Total: |
1515 |
204 |
1660 |
120 |
|
ARES®/RACES 2M Nets |
Stations |
Traffic |
Time Min |
Sessions |
District 6 ARES®/RACES |
65 |
2 |
64 |
4 |
Wood Co. ARES® |
264 |
0 |
297 |
9 |
Barbour Co. ARES® |
24 |
0 |
79 |
4 |
Jefferson Co. ARES®/RACES |
43 |
0 |
79 |
4 |
Total: |
396 |
2 |
472 |
22 |
Digital |
|||||
|
Stations |
Traffic |
Time Min |
Sessions |
|
DAREN |
248 |
0 |
720 |
4 |
|
2 Meter Nets |
|||||
|
Stations |
Traffic |
Time Min |
Sessions |
|
Kanawha ARC |
65 |
0 |
150 |
4 |
|
E Panhdl 2m Net |
86 |
15 |
198 |
18 |
|
Total: |
151 |
15 |
248 |
22 |
|
Station Activity Report (SAR) – September 2009 |
|||||
Orig |
Rec |
Sent |
Del |
Total |
|
KA8ZGY |
34 |
14 |
31 |
7 |
86 |
WD8DHC |
0 |
45 |
42 |
0 |
87 |
W8IVF |
0 |
50 |
19 |
1 |
70 |
W8CPG |
4 |
30 |
7 |
0 |
41 |
WB8OIF |
0 |
5 |
14 |
0 |
19 |
N8NMA |
0 |
10 |
6 |
2 |
18 |
KB8NDS |
0 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
15 |
Total: |
38 |
119 |
38 |
10 |
149 |
Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR) – September 2009 |
|||||||
Station |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Total |
KA8ZGY |
16 |
40 |
30 |
15 |
0 |
20 |
121 |
W8CPG |
27 |
40 |
20 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
102 |
WB8OIF |
40 |
19 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
89 |
N8NMA |
34 |
18 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
82 |
KB8NDS |
17 |
15 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
82 |
Total Stations |
5 |
||||||
Visit www.ARRl.org Roanoke Division West Virginia Section Report for full details.
ARRL West Virginia Section
Section Manager: Louise Ann Rinehart, KA8ZGY
ka8zgy@arrl.org